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CITY · 2020 ACS

Ralston

Iowa · 81 residents · 1.971 sq mi
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The short version

Ralston has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $63,750. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 17 residents. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $57,800.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
81
−17%since 2000
from 98 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
41 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 50 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.3
+4%since 2000
from 40.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5476981201421990201020202024Ralston
202461
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,750
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,375 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,356
+86%since 2000
from $15,746 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.5%
+37.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.3%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 0.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade37.2%
US avg: 10%
Information25.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade16.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$57,800
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
82.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 76.9% in 2000
17.9% rent
Afford Score
0.9
Unchangedsince 2000
from 0.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ralston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic100%(98)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.8%(76)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(1)
Asian1.2%(1)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score6.3%(5)
Diversity Score
6
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.4%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 8.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
100.0%
+20.8 ptssince 2000
from 79.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.1 min
+6%since 2000
from 18.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
100.0%
+44.0 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
+4.4 ptssince 2011
from 0.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
73.8%
−8.5 ptssince 2011
from 82.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
0.0%
−66.3 ptssince 2009
from 66.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.8%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.4% in 2009
Female
59.2%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.0%
−99.0 ptssince 2013
from 100.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Ralston to nearby cities

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Home value$188,700+226%
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RALSTON VS
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RALSTON VS
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Income$65,684+3%
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RALSTON VS
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Population12,471+16528%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ralston, Iowa?

Ralston, Iowa has about 81 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ralston, Iowa?

The typical household in Ralston, Iowa earns about $63,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ralston, Iowa expensive?

In Ralston, Iowa, the median home is worth about $57,800.

How educated are people in Ralston, Iowa?

About 11.4% of adults age 25 and over in Ralston, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ralston, Iowa?

About 14.3% of people in Ralston, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ralston, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Ralston, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 24 residents, a change of about -23 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →